Baked French Toast Sticks

Me and French Toast Sticks go way back.

The first time I ever tried them was the summer I turned 17. My best friend and I worked at our local pool teaching swimming lessons every morning, and everyday after work we’d hop into my Geo Tracker, pop the top down, and cruise over to the nearby Burger King with our wet ponytails flying in the wind.

Once in line at the drive-thru we’d sit and fret over whether to order the mini cinnamon rolls or french toast sticks for breakfast, because these are the things 17 year olds have to worry about. Icing…or syrup?

At the beginning of the summer I was totally team mini cinnamon rolls. I mean – you know me – miniaturize anything and I’m pretty much sold, but one day I decided to take a risk and give the French Toast Sticks a try. HEAVEN in stick form! Crispy outside, fluffy inside, and oh, how adorable, they even gave you a mini syrup package for dunking.

Fast forward a decade later (ok, decade plus) and I can still taste the hot and crispy French Toast Sticks from that summer. But these days I’m looking for the fix, without the fried part. Baked French Toast Sticks are totally the answer!

Thick-cut bread is sliced into finger-friendly sticks, soaked in a sweetened and spiced egg batter, then baked instead of fried. The result is a fluffy, dunkable dipper that’s absolutely mouthwatering and so much fun to eat. Plus you don’t have to stand over a hot stove flipping French Toast to get that yummy, decadent flavor. Love that!

I thought I’d share this recipe with you today because Baked French Toast Sticks would make a special Valentine’s Day breakfast for your sweetie or kids, especially when paired with festive red berries and sweet powdered sugar dusted on top. The best part is you can bake-then-freeze these babies ahead of time, so breakfast tomorrow will be easy peasy. Instructions for freezing/reheating are below!

Start the Baked French Toast Sticks with 4 slices Texas Toast, which is thick-cut and hearty. I’ve used cottage bread before, which worked out great, but I love the fluffiness that Texas Toast gets ya’! Don’t stress though, just use whatever you’ve got in the house. I’d just stay away from flimsy, reduced-calorie bread, as it will fall apart in the French toast batter.

Using a serrated knife to cut the bread slices into thirds, for 12 French Toast Sticks total. (Psst! Ben got me this one from Williams & Sonoma for like $15 a couple years ago and I use it for EVERYTHING!)

Set the bread aside for a sec while you prepare the French toast sticks batter which starts with 3 eggs cracked into a large, shallow dish. Dangit all I was this close to getting them all in one-handed (left handed, too!) without breaking a shell!

To the eggs add 1/2 cup milk – whatever you have in the house – plus 1 Tablespoon melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

Whisk everything together until smooth.

Dunk the bread sticks into the batter, letting the excess run off, then place onto a baking sheet that’s been sprayed well with nonstick spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes, spray the tops with more nonstick spray and then flip and cook for 8-9 more minutes.

Top the Baked French Toast Sticks with a dusting of powdered sugar, then pair them with fresh berries and maple syrup for dunking, natch!

Baked French Toast Sticks

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vegetarian20 minute meal

Description

Baked French Toast Sticks are a fun finger-food breakfast recipe that are freezer-friendly, too!

Ingredients

Makes 12 French Toast Sticks

• 4 slices Texas Toast (or other hearty, thick-cut bread)
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 Tablespoon melted butter, slightly cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees then spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray very well and set aside. Cut bread slices into thirds then set aside.
2. In a large shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla, and cinnamon. Dunk bread sticks into batter, let excess drip off, then place onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 16-18 minutes, spraying the tops of the French Toast Sticks with non-stick spray before flipping halfway through.
3. To freeze: Let French Toast Sticks cool then place onto a baking sheet and freeze in the freezer. Transfer to a freezer bag or container when hard. To reheat, microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Sweet, and satisfying – these are super addicting. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

To freeze the Baked French Toast Sticks, let them cool, then place onto a baking sheet and into the freezer until frozen solid. Transfer to a freezer bag then microwave for 30 seconds to a minute to reheat. Enjoy!